Fodder research improves dairy output

Fodder research by World Agroforestry Centre scientists is helping to increase the earnings of a group of smallholder farmers in the Rift Valley, Kenya.

A group of 6800 dairy farmers belonging to the Metkei Multi Purpose Ltd company have been taking part in the East African Dairy Development program in Kenya. Partly funded by the Centre, the program is helping farmers improve the production and storage of their milk.

The Centre's key role in the program has been the dissemination of information and technology of improved fodder shrubs which supplement conventional dairy feed. The shrubs contribute to reducing milk production costs while improving milk and soil quality.

One of the farmers said "I have three cows which required about five kilograms of conventional dairy meal feed a day...But with the new shrubs all I need is to mix a kilogramme of conventional feed with the shrubs and I am covered."

Read more of Rift Valley farmers bet on milk chilling plant, shrubs to grow income.